Happy Harry soaring high on Ireland's newest roller coaster

Harry Somers and dad Joe on 'Cu Chulainn' at Tayto Park.harry and his dad

the world's biggest roller coaster fan, 13-year-old Harry Somers, from Enniscorthy, was treated to a white-knuckle VIP ride on Europe's largest wooden roller coaster, Cu Chulainn, which opened at Tayto Park in Ashbourne, Co. Meath, last week.

Harry and his dad Joe, who hates heights, were among the first on the new rollercoaster after the teenager, from the Moyne, wrote to Tayto Park's founder Ray Coyle, describing himself as 'probably the biggest (roller coaster) enthusiast you will ever meet'.

The youngster said he had been on many roller coasters, such as Nemesis, the Swarm, and Stealth during visits to theme parks worldwide and 'roller coasters and theme parks are my life'.

'When I heard about the plans for the Tayto Park wooden roller coaster I was over the moon. To be able to ride a world class coaster without travelling abroad is awesome,' said Harry, a pupil at FCJ, Bunclody.

Ray Coyle was so impressed with Harry's letter than he has invited the youngster and his family to Tayto Park for a sneak preview of Cu Chulainn on last Thursday (June 4), the day before it is officially opened.

For all the rollercoaster fans out there - Cu Chullain stands 32 metres tall at its highest point, has a 31 metre drop at the start and can hit speeds of between 90 and 1200 km/h, with 3Gs on the way down.

The coaster inverts half way round, the first in Europe with this feature.